“He Went Out Not Knowing”             

These 5 words, “He went out not knowing...,” are found in the Bible. Do you know who said them and of whom they were said?

Speaking of Abraham, the writer of the Book of Hebrews said, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; (Heb. 11:8-9 KJV).”

Tomorrow we begin a new year. Like Abraham, we go out not knowing what lies ahead. We don’t know what awaits around the bend. It might hold abundant joys and really cool adventures−or perhaps even great sorrows and trials.  

When God called Abraham, (named Abram at the time) he obeyed, without hesitation. When he went out not knowing, he was taking a huge step of faith. God had called him to leave his home and kin. He didn’t have a reference point, or much of a family history with God. He was living in Haran, a pagan place. He couldn’t sing a song like Faith of Our Fathers to build his faith or boost his confidence. He took his wife, servants, Lot, his newhew, and their livestock and went out totally not knowing anything except that God had told him to do so.

So here we are, entering into a new year and we go out, not knowing what will befall us in 2016. We anticipate, hoping and expecting good things. Some among us are expecting a baby, planning a wedding, going to graduate, building a new house, and on and on.

Those of us who are in Christ, do NOT need to worry as we step into the new year. God told us very clearly in Luke 12:22 not to worry about anything. In other words, we are not to worry about things that concern us as we go out, not knowing what lies ahead. We don’t need to worry because God knows!

There are two 2-word sentences that give me great comfort as I face the unknown. The first is “I AM,” which God said about Himself to Moses through the burning bush. He was letting Moses know that Jehovah God was anything and everything Moses and the children of Israel would need for any trial or situation they’d faced.

My other 2-word sentence is, “God knows.”  When I encounter a trial, especially when I see no good ending, I remind myself, “God knows.” I know it is truth; He is good; He loves me with unfailing love; and He knows what’s best for me in any situation.

Granted, when January 1^st rolls around each year, we don’t know what lies ahead of us, or for any of our loved ones. Fear of the unknown can have a profound effect on an individual.

What does fear do to us? Fear keeps us focused on the past & constantly worried about the future. It creates desperation and indecision that paralyzes our logic, thinking, and actions. Fear causes us to be hesitant in exploring new concepts and embracing new possibilities. We can't live freely when we live in fear of the unknown.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on (Luke 12:22).”

Let’s consider things that we DO know, as we embark on a New Year−for that matter, as we embark on any new day:

1.  Jesus said, “Don’t worry about anything.”  Let’s take Him at His word. “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day (2 Timothy 1:12).”

2.  Always remember, God loves us with unfailing love.

3.  God knows our end before our beginning. He said so! −Isaiah 46:10

4.  God created each of us, and knows each of us better than we know ourselves. He knows what’s best for us. Therefore, we can rest assured that He has our best interest in mind in all matters.

5.  Yes, we might miss God and mess up along the way but He knows our heart and can always get us straightened out when we cooperate with Him.

6.  God gives us principles and precepts to guide us and we can trust His Word. Of course we must read and study His Word in order to know these things.

7.  We have His presence at all times. When we’re in His family, His Holy Spirit dwells in us. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).”

As we go out in complete surrender to our Creator, we shouldn’t be surprised at marvelous things He will do in us and through us.

“Be an Abraham. Leave everything, and if you do this in faith, verily ye shall not lack your reward. He is able, and he has promised to give you in this life ten times more than you lose for him, and in the world to come life everlasting.”

“Let us … put the most implicit trust in our wonder-working God; when we recollect what he has already done for us.”

“I can only hold up my hands and exclaim, ‘What hath God wrought!’ And shall we doubt for the future? No; mariner, hoist the sail; loose the rudder bands; drag up the anchor; once again to sea we go, with the flag of faith at the masthead, with Jehovah at the helm, to a sure port the vessel shall be guided, though the storm may howl, and hell beneath shall be stirred; for God is with us, and the God of Abraham is our refuge. God give to every one of you the firmest trust in his providence, that you may go forth not knowing whither you go.”
“As for you that believe not in God, may you be led to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as in your Redeemer, and afterwards to trust your God, and leave all your concerns in his hands.” -Charles Spurgeon-  http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0261.htm 

©Connie Wohlford 2015

The Gift – A Christmas-Time Short Film

The Gift – A Christmas-Time Short Film

It’s Christmas Eve Eve and time is just about up−That is time to prep for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day activities. If you’re like me you’ve not accomplished a high percentage of your wonder-filled Christmas plans. If you read my post last week, you know exactly what I’m talking about. J

Also, maybe a few of you have had an unforeseen family crisis, as we did. Just two days ago my dear uncle unexpectedly went to his Heavenly Reward. This really jarred our family out of our Christmas cheer. But we will be fine.

On the bright side, Uncle Jim is having his best Christmas ever, worshiping−IN PERSON−the One who once lay away in a manger−the ONE for whom the angels rejoiced and sang, Glory to God in the highest−the ONE Isaiah spoke of when he prophesied:

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Wow, Uncle Jim, it’s almost hard not to envy you.

So, as we ponder the glorious hope of Christmas−the birth of Messiah−I invite you to watch this Christmas-time short film.

The film is heart-warming, and depicts the truth and hope of the Christmas story. You might even want to share it with someone you know who could use a little boost of hope.

I pray God richly blesses you and your family with Christmas hope, joy, peace, and love. Merry Christmas!

I present to you, The Gift:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yND5h69YP0

 

©Connie Wohlford

Our Wonder-Filled Plans for Christmas

Our Wonder-Filled Plans for Christmas

It happens every year. And I know that I’m not the only one who does it.  On November 1^st Thanksgiving plans are well underway. We don’t want to miss a beat in having Thanksgiving dinner as perfect as can be. I love Thanksgiving− taking time to be grateful to God for His many blessings, family gathering together, turkey dinner with the trimmings, college football on TV, and on and on.

BUT, you know and I know that there’s a buzzing bee humming wildly inside our heads, planning and anticipating, thinking and budgeting, for the best Christmas ever. After all, it’s just around the corner! 

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans:  Things like family gatherings where we all get along; we’re all on the same page; and no one−not even one− acts unseemly. And most importantly, we all focus on Jesus and the wonder of His coming. We gaze at the nativity figurines and imagine what it would be like to be in that scene ourselves. We picture ourselves kneeling beside the Christ Child, worshiping alongside the shepherds and wise men−maybe even holding a little lamb on our laps. We see our children and grandchildren joining us there−in the wonder of it all. 

When God looks into our brains, it must look something like Pinterest or the merger of Southern Living Christmas and Focus on the Family.

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans:  Our culinary creations will top all we’ve ever done in Christmas past. It will seem as though we’ve cloned Martha Stewart’s creativity and yes, her pocketbook−and even her staff.  [How much of that do you really think she does herself anyway?] 

Our homes will be filled with aromas of homemade Snicker Doodles, apple & pumpkin pies, fresh baked cinnamon buns, mulled cider & fresh brewed coffee.  Our table and counter tops will be heavy laden with trays of bright colored, perfectly decorated Christmas cookies, mini loaves, cakes, and bundled candies−all freshly made by our skilled and loving hands.  

 

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans:  Our homes will be brilliantly decorated with holiday lights and homemade décor that even Martha would envy.  All the lights, yes every single one, will actually work and burn brightly in just the right spot, casting just the right shadows, in just the right places.  It will all be just right. The fragrant fresh greenery, colorfully styled with perfectly harmonized ribbons and bows, intermixes the air with the cinnamons and spice. Umm, we smile, close our eyes, deeply inhale and hold for a moment just to soak it all in.  

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans:  The family will all be together at the community parade and tree lighting ceremony, after which we’ll enjoy hot chocolate while we chat and laugh together. Off to church we’ll go on Christmas Sunday* and joyfully sing all our favorite Christmas carols. Each heart will be thrilled again by the Christmas play. We’ll worship the new born King and joyfully say, “Merry Christmas,” to each of our church friends. [*Christmas Sunday is defined as the Sunday just before Christmas day. I had to explain that term to some of my grandchildren.] 

Our minds are bursting with wonder-filled plans: We’ll give and receive delightfully simple and meaningful gifts this year. We won’t spend more than we can afford. And best of all, everyone will appreciate−really appreciate−the gifts we give. As they carefully open each one, their eyes will sparkle with anticipation.

Then they’ll look into our faces and gleefully say, “Oh thank you so much!  I just love it! It is just right!”  Then we’ll receive that big hug of gratitude and smile as we sweetly say, “You’re welcome, Honey.  I love you so much.” 

So- our wonder-filled plans are brilliant, indeed. Our imaginings can flit and float to impeccable holiday thrills. But—really now, let’s do be real. When our families consist of human beings, we’ll deal with human frailties. We, ourselves, are not the picture of perfection, you know.

Let’s begin our plans with a prayer to the One we celebrate and ask for His leading as we set our sights on Christmas. After all—it’s His birthday.

AND let’s do what Proverbs 16:3 wisely tells us: Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Please leave a comment and share ways you manage to maintain focus and composure during your Christmas planning and follow-through.  Merry Christmas!  

"Our Wonder-Filled Plans for Christmas" has been published in the December issue of the free on-line magazine, "Refresh." To read more delightful and inspirational Christmas related articles please see the December issue -> http://lighthousebiblestudies.com/refresh-bible-study-magazine .

©Connie Wohlford

Is your head spinnning yet?

Is your head spinning yet?

Was your Thanksgiving Day perfect? ---Mine was not.---  BUT I will say it was a blessing for my husband and me, as well as for others around us.

And I don’t know about you, but for me life is standing in the way of most of my wonder-filled Christmas plans thus far. But I’m grateful for life and I know God’s gift of His Son is all I need for my Christmas holiday to be wonder-filled. As for the trappings, I’ll do what I can as I can.

Speaking of which, for my blog post today, I’m inviting you to read and even subscribe to the new FREE on-line Christian magazine, Refresh. The article that I wrote which was to be my blog post for this week was selected to be published in the magazine. (That’s very exciting to me!) I’ve not included any pictures here because Refresh has magnificent Christmas pictures for you and me to enjoy.

So please download Refresh Christmas Issue and read my article titled, “Our Wonder-filled Plans for Christmas,” on page 16. Then you’ll have read my blog post for this week and you will also have the opportunity to read the other fabulous articles in Refresh.

Below is the intro and link to the December issue of Refresh. Please read the information right below the link to help insure success in downloading. I believe you’ll enjoy Refresh and hope you’ll share it with friends. Here you go:

Merry Christmas!

It's that special time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we're excited to present you with our Christmas issue.   

Click this link to see the magazine:

Refresh Christmas Issue

We have everything from relieving stress to recipes for a Christmas latte and a Jesus cake. And best of all, celebrating the great love that God gave us 2000 years ago--Jesus Himself!

The magazine will open as a PDF in your browser. It will take a couple minutes to load. You can download it and open it in a special way, so that the pages flip from the inside out. Just save it to your computer, open it from your Downloads folder, and allow the file to open in "full screen." Otherwise, you can view the magazine in your browser and scroll through the pages.

We wish you a wonderful Christmas season and a great start to 2016! God bless you and your family.

©Connie Wohlford 2015

Thanksgiving History Lesson & George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

Thanksgiving History Lesson & George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

The concept of Thanksgiving Day started with the pilgrims, as mentioned in the video link below. But an official day declared throughout the land was not begun until years later.

 

In 1789 the U.S. first president, George Washington, issued a proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving. Here is President Washington’s proclamation. I’d like to encourage you to print it out and read it at your Thanksgiving celebration.

 

 

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor -- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks -- for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation -- for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war -- for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed -- for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted -- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions -- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually -- to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed -- to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us -- and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington 

The Library of Congress George Washington Collection

The Library of Congress Thanksgiving in America

FOUNDATIONS OF OUR LIBERTIES

  

Seventy-four years later during a tumultuous time, in a nation torn by civil war, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the last Thursday of November a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise.”



Norman Rockwell - "Thanksgiving"

Each year on that day, Americans gather for a day of feasting, football and family. While today’s Thanksgiving celebrations would likely be unrecognizable to attendees of the original 1621 harvest meal, it continues to be a day for Americans to come together around the table—albeit with some updates to pilgrim’s menu.

 

 

 

 

 

 Click on this link for a History Channel video about the history of Thanksgiving:

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving/videos/thanksgiving-becomes-a-holiday

Click on this link for information about President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation---- includes the words of his proclamation.  

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/11/22/read-abraham-lincolns-1863-thanksgiving-proclamation/

©Connie Wohlford 2015

The Lord Has Need of You

“The Lord Has Need of You”           

Can you describe yourself in a word?  Though there’d be many words, I can say a word that works for all of us.
That word is prophetic. 
God prophesied over each of us before we were born and David spoke of it:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! ² You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. ³ You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. ⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. ¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!          −Psalm 139:1-4; 13-17.

SO− Before we were even born, God spoke over us. He prophesied over each of us. He caused each one of us to be born on the day we were born, where we were born, and to the parents to whom we were born. AND to each of us He spoke a Prophetic Assignment! 

 

If you’re a parent, He gave you those specific children for such a time as this−for their own Prophetic Assignment.

God has prophesied His plan for each of us and when we enter His family through Jesus and do things His way, it will come to pass just as He ordained for us. We do have a choice in the matter. That’s called free will.

AND−God has need of us!

A few days before His crucifixion, Jesus sent two of his disciples into a village to get the donkey he would ride into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday. 

Jesus said to them, “… you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me.  And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’”

Like the little donkeys, the Lord has need of you and me too−to walk out our Prophetic Assignments. Let’s not forget our assignment was prophesied over us before we were even born. When we walk in our prophetic assignment, we’ll stay close to God every day. His Spirit, in us, will be our constant companion and guide. 

 

And notice, Jesus told the disciples to loose the donkeys.  We often need to be loosed from something or maybe many things before we can be used of God. Each day, we should ask God if there’s something we need to be cut loose from in order to do His bidding on that day.

Often our lives may seem simple and mundane. We may feel that were not fulfilling a Prophetic Assignment. But, as we go day to day serving Him, even in menial ways, He’s using us and preparing us for what’s next in His eternal plan. Our Prophetic Assignment is His eternal plan for us.

Look at Mary−One day God stepped into her life when she was about 15 years old. Before she was born God had chosen her to bear His Son. He had already spoken an incredible destiny, her Prophetic Assignment, over her while she was in her mother’s womb. Like the little donkey, God had need of her.

She knew she was in over her head. She was a pregnant virgin! But how did she respond? She said, “… be it unto me according to your word,” and she entered into God’s redemptive plan. God had handpicked her for such a time in history.

So, what Prophetic Assignment has God spoken over you and me? What has God chosen for us to do with our lives? Why did He put us on His earth HERE and NOW at this amazing time in history? What’s the destiny He has chosen for each of us?

How have we answered His call?  Like Mary did we say, “Be it unto me according to your word.”?

What can we do in order to know His Prophetic Assignment?  We each must ask God to show us what we need to do in order to fulfill what He prophesied over us before our birth.

For a moment, close your eyes and see yourself in your mother’s womb−a seed− then a tiny little fetal positioned baby, wiggling and growing.  See your Creator−the God of the Universe−looking at your unformed body with His hand outstretched, prophesying His Word over you.

What’s He saying?  He wants us to know what he is saying!

Like Mary, we need to take a risk. Like the donkeys, we need to be loosed from something. 

When God called me to start writing things that others would read, I certainly felt that I was taking a risk! AND I needed to be loosed from some things. Did God prophesy that over me when I was an embryo? I believe He did.

SO let’s make every effort to fulfill our Prophetic Assignments.  We each need to do our part in His Kingdom. And we can be 100% confident that our Creator will do His.

Daniel’s Dilemma à Daniel’s Destiny

Daniel’s Dilemma  à  Daniel’s Destiny

Daniel and his three Hebrew buddies had a serious dilemma.

By King Nebuchadnezzar’s decree all the wise men in his kingdom were to die since, thus far, none could interpret the king’s weird dream. It just so happened that Daniel and friends were in the category of wise men in this kingdom of Babylon.

Now King Neb had asked a bit much of his staff of wise men—demanding that before they interpret his dream, they had to state what the dream was. By this he would know there was no faking it.

Since Daniel knew his God well he was confident that Yahweh, Who knows all things, certainly knew King Neb’s dream and what it meant. Daniel therefore ask if he might have a little time to consider the matter before the king lowered the boom on all the wise men. He was granted permission.

Daniel went home and told his three friends that their lives were on the line. BUT they knew and trusted their God, confident He would come through. That night God revealed the mystery’s solution to Daniel in a night vision.

With a grateful heart, Daniel praised God. In his declaration of praise we see the attributes of God which prompted such great faith.

"Daniel answered and said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. ²¹ And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
²² He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And
light dwells with Him.

²³ I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand’” (Daniel 2:20-23).
 
Did you notice that I said, a couple of times, that Daniel and his friends knew their God? That is key to their great faith. They had a history with Yahweh (God). They knew the attributes of God—that wisdom and might are His; He can change the times and seasons; He can set up and take down kings; He the giver of wisdom and knowledge; He knows deep secret things and knows what’s in the darkness.
We too can have great faith, just like Daniel. When we know our God intimately and are familiar with His attributes, we will know He is trustworthy even in the scariest of circumstances.
When we pray, let’s let our prayers be based on God’s attributes. AND let’s let our expectations be based on God’s attributes.


 
Let’s each cultivate our own history with God. Our growth in faith today will be part of our history with God tomorrow.

 

You can read this entire fascinating story in your Bible, in the second chapter of Daniel. Here you’ll see Daniel state what the dream was and it’s interpretation, giving all credit to his powerful God. You can also learn about how King Nebuchadnezzar was so impressed he declared that the God of the Hebrews was the God of all gods, Lord of kings, and so on. He also gave Daniel a big promotion in his kingdom.

Thank you for reading my blog post today. I hope you’re encouraged to build your history with God. Your comments are welcome.

©Connie Wohlford 2015

A Lamp – The Light Shines in Darkness (5)

Part 2.  A Lamp – The Light Shines in Darkness (5)          

We continue with RiSiKiLi−

              God’s Word − Read it, Study it, Know it, Live it.       

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:1-5).

John was speaking of Jesus—in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. When Jesus came into the world as a man, a Light that mankind had not known, came into the world. That is the light that illuminates the way of Creator God. 

John, the Gospel writer, goes on to elaborate in verses 6-17. He told of John the Baptist coming as a witness of Jesus being the Christ and saying that John bore witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world (John 1:7-9). 

With words like these and evidences of consequences, (mentioned in a previous post), faced by our Hebrew brethren not walking in the Light God provided, why are so many professed believers indifferent to God’s Word, which illuminates our way? Why is a small percentage of Jesus followers actually studying His Truths? 

Paul’s instructions to Timothy hold true for all believers. He said, Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2Timothy 2:15).  

Some of us memorized this verse as children, but we may have either not been taught what it meant or were not paying much attention to the teacher. The latter was probably me. 

Some part of that principle must have been planted in my spirit though, because I can recall that, even in high school and college, I respected my Bible and did some semi-regular devotional type reading of it. I even had a desire to read through the whole Bible and get into systematic study. 

But, in reality, it seemed that cares of the world and the desire to have fun took higher priority. My flesh was stronger than my spirit and it was no wonder, since my lifestyle was nurturing my flesh more than my spirit. Gratefully, by my early 20’s, I began to hunger for more of the Truth of God’s Word and started into actual study it.

I married young and soon had two sons. I wanted them to have a relationship with Christ and walk in the light of God’s Word. How could I expect them to honor God and His Word if I didn't do so myself?

I really wanted to be a godly mother for them and to set a good example. And besides, in my heart, I knew there was food there that I needed to satisfy my hungry soul and living water to quench the thirst in my spirit. I also knew my Bible contained direction to light my path, which often seemed crooked.

So what was Paul saying to young Timothy? Paul was telling him to study, just as the Holy Spirit was telling me to study. For Timothy, at that time, it would be the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Paul was also likely referring to his own prior instructions to Timothy, his protégé and student. The word study, as they knew it in Greek, is spoudazo, meaning “to make effort ... be diligent, endeavor, labor.” (Strong’s #4704)

So Paul was telling Timothy that he needed to consistently study. The verb is present imperative, meaning this was to be Timothy’s regular practice. He was to continue in regular, serious study of Scriptures and the teachings of Jesus. With diligence and effort he was to do so and thus please God and become knowledgeable and an example of Christ, before others. This should be the heart’s desire of every one of us who calls ourselves “Christian.”

Most of us have embarrassed ourselves while trying to discuss some Truth or fact from Scripture when we ourselves, and those listening, came to the conclusion that either we didn’t have enough knowledge, or we simply didn’t know what we were talking about. I have been there more times than I care to think about and don’t like finding myself in that position.

It’s through study as well as seeking God in prayer that we can avert these incidences of embarrassment. This is not saying that we will have all wisdom and all the answers. But we will know our God well enough and walk in step with Him on that illuminated path and close enough to Him that we will have the right words to say, with genuine authority and power. We'll have wisdom to say, “I don’t know,” when appropriate, as well.  

Another important component to having and gaining biblical knowledge and wisdom is that of being a part of a good Bible based church fellowship. The value of sitting under biblically sound teaching and preaching is beyond measure. We’re never too old or “mature” for Sunday School or Bible study groups. This small group systematic study, as well as the personal accountability that comes with it, helps us recognize and walk in the light of God’s Word.  “Iron sharpens iron” and we need it!   

©Connie Wohlford 2015